What are the long-term effects of prescription drug addiction? Some people may think that prescription drugs aren’t as harmful as illegal drugs because they’ve been tested and have actual medical uses. However, every type of substance abuse will typically have lifelong consequences.
Even after recovery, patients that have struggled with pill addiction could continue to have behavioral, physical, or mental difficulties throughout their lives. That’s why learning about the signs of addiction is so important. If you notice these signs in yourself or a loved one, seek professional treatment for mental health and behavioral issues as soon as possible.
If you’re looking for a prescription drug detox center in Ohio, contact Midwest Detox Center. Call 833.647.0392 or reach out to our team online.
What Are the Signs of Pill Addiction?
The signs of prescription drug addiction will vary depending on the substance being misused. However, there are some common symptoms of pill addiction, including:
- Agitation and irritability
- Altered perceptions of reality
- Changes in eating and sleeping patterns
- Declining interest in personal hygiene
- Disorientation, along with declining reasoning capabilities and decision-making skills
- Excessive borrowing or stealing money
- Going to multiple doctors to obtain multiple prescriptions for the same drug
- Impaired concentration and coordination
- Loss of motivation
- Mood swings, along with bouts of depression or anxiety
- No longer participating in previously enjoyable activities
- Periods of emotional numbness or emotional detachment
- Trouble maintaining responsibilities or typical standard of performance
- Withdrawal from friend groups and family
What Are the Long-Term Effects of Prescription Drug Addiction?
Prescription drug use can lead to misuse. This, in turn, can lead to drug dependency and addiction. However, the long-term effects of pill addiction differ based on the drugs involved.
Opioids are highly addictive, so it’s easy to become addicted and then experience long-term effects of their use. Those with an opioid dependency will find that stopping or even taking less of the drug will cause distressing withdrawal symptoms – making it difficult to quit. Long-term abuse, however, will worsen co-occurring mental health issues and can cause liver damage.
Depressants or sleeping pills are also difficult to quit after enough regular use. Stopping or taking less of the drug each time may cause uncomfortable rebound insomnia, which can be very challenging to treat successfully. Like opioid abuse, long-term depressant abuse can cause liver damage – along with gastrointestinal side effects.
Long-term stimulant abuse can cause a range of physical health problems – including cardiovascular damage, chronic fatigue and exhaustion, and sexual dysfunction. These drugs increase blood pressure, which could potentially lead to permanent changes in cardiovascular functioning.
What Should You Expect From Prescription Drug Addiction Treatment Programs?
Like most programs of most treatment facilities, a typical prescription drug treatment program will usually start with a comprehensive patient evaluation. The patient will be examined and interviewed about their prescription drug use – and may even be found to have co-occurring mental health issues. In cases like this, the patient will need to go through a customized dual diagnosis treatment program.
Many treatment facilities customize their patients’ treatment plans, using forms of therapy and care that are available in their programs. In some cases, the patients’ families may be called on to be part of therapy sessions.
Before patients leave the program, they will typically talk about an aftercare plan with a professional. Like treatment plans, aftercare is also customized. Without an aftercare plan, it will be much more difficult for patients to maintain lifelong sobriety.
Learn More About Midwest Detox Center’s Prescription Drug Addiction Treatment Program
Searching for a pill addiction treatment program in Ohio? Contact Midwest Detox Center by calling 833.647.0392 or reaching out to our team online.
